Good for theater junkies who don't mind some spare drama.
If this novel was a musical, it'd get average reviews and see a modest run.
After the death of her emotionally distant father, Devan is full of mixed emotions about moving to Los Angeles to live with her mother. Not only has she never met her mother, but the woman in question is reclusive, best-selling author Reece Malcolm. Reece is welcoming, but Devan is still uncertain about their relationship, even after spying on her reveals that her fears are unfounded. At the same time, Devan's school life quickly gains in importance as she participates in show choir and gets the lead role in her favorite musical. Friendship and romantic tension keep her life off-stage just as challenging. But when Devan discovers a secret that Reece has been hiding from her, can she cope with yet another challenge? Although Devan's love of musicals shines through, most character traits are told and not shown. The two plot threads—Devan's adjustment to her new life and her relationship with her mother—feel unbalanced, especially in the second half of the novel. Lazy and mannered writing is evident: Coincidences and the use of the strike-through, as in "probably maybe I don't know possibly," are frequent.
Good for theater junkies who don't mind some spare drama. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: Feb. 5, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-62061-240-8
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Review Posted Online: Dec. 25, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart.
A surprise inheritance thrusts a small-town Nebraska teen into Manhattan’s elite society—and the orbit of a boy who’s determined to prove she doesn’t belong.
Julia Lowell’s life changes overnight when the 80-something man they know as Lou leaves his fortune to her family instead of his New York City relatives. Lou, who lived in a fishing cabin, was a regular customer of the Lowells’ small grocery store and became a family friend. To inherit, they must live in his Upper West Side home for at least six months, and Julia and her twin brother must attend Gardenwood Academy, a Gossip Girl–esque private school. Julia struggles to navigate her rude, privileged classmates—like Damion Rutledge. Unbeknownst to her, Lou—whose real name was Remington—was Damion’s beloved great-uncle. When a teacher assigns Damion to be Julia’s math tutor, he seizes the opportunity to search Uncle Remi’s house, which he believes is his by right, for evidence of the Lowells’ deceit. But as suspicion gives way to genuine feelings, Julia and Damion, who are cued white, question their assumptions about one another. Painter delivers her signature blend of banter, slow-burn chemistry, and emotionally grounded characters. Told in the leads’ alternating points of view, the familiar enemies-to-lovers setup is complicated by Damion’s secret and Julia’s past heartbreak. While the story follows a predictable path and resolution, the central relationship feels earned and heartfelt.
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart. (soundtrack) (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026
ISBN: 9798347100217
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
A heartfelt holiday-themed story that rom-com fans will delight in.
After her town’s wildly successful fall festival and a busy drama club season, Sloane Sullivan is ready for winter break in New York City with her cousin, Ellis—but life has other things in store for her.
This stand-alone follow-up to Falling Like Leaves (2025), which centered on Ellis, follows Sloane, who loves wintertime but tries to avoid painful memories of her late father, who shared her enthusiasm for Christmas. Sloane’s mom, the mayor of Bramble Falls, surprises everyone by deciding to capitalize on the town’s popularity—videos of the Falling Leaves Festival have gone viral—and throw a Falling Snow Festival. When Mom pressures Sloane to help with the frantic, last-minute plans—dooming the New York getaway—she teams up with her best friend, the unconditionally supportive constant in her life, Asher Yoshida. After a meet-cute in which Sloane sleds into hockey star Micah Cook, her feelings for both boys complicate the festive season. Romance fans will swoon over the thoughtful and elaborate lengths Asher goes to in expressing his feelings for Sloane. Sloane’s fear of ruining their friendship and her grief over the loss of her father are palpable. The loving, joking interactions among Sloane’s friend group add dimension to the story, and readers will delight in the movie references woven throughout. They’ll also cheer Sloane as she figures out her feelings. Most central characters are cued white, and Asher is white and Japanese American.
A heartfelt holiday-themed story that rom-com fans will delight in. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
ISBN: 9781665989824
Page Count: 352
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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